Newsletters have been around forever, there’s a reason for that. A newsletter keeps your business in the minds of your customers and builds, know, like, and trust, which keeps them coming back.
The good news is you don’t have to print them and mail them out anymore. Email marketing has made it almost free.
To start a newsletter you need two things a name and an email address. You can collect this information by asking for it through your website or by asking for it when you have contact with a customer. If you are not collecting customer information you need to start NOW!
By providing your customers with engaging daily or weekly content through your online newsletter, you can pique their interest over time, leading them to more purchases. However, if the content you send is subpar, the reverse can happen. Operating an online newsletter requires effort, but the task can be outsourced.
Now, the question arises, should you charge for subscription? It depends on your goals. Are you looking to draw in visitors towards your primary product? Or is your newsletter the only service you’re offering? How frequent are your autoresponder messages and how valuable and comprehensive is your newsletter? Is the content you provide readily available for free elsewhere on the web?
Opting for a free newsletter can be a simpler choice since it can attract a larger number of opt-ins, and you can potentially convert them into paid subscribers in the future. Everybody appreciates complimentary offerings. You might want to consider using the end of the email to offer exclusive promotions for subscribers or inform them of new products or services. You can also provide subscriber-only bonuses upon purchase.
However, take note that if your messages start to resemble sales pitches, subscribers are likely to opt out rapidly. Exercise caution here, as these subscribers represent your potential customer base, which is invaluable to you.